Self-playing musical instrument.



,No. 862,058. PATBNTED JULY so, 1907.

ms. DEAN.-

' SELF PLAYING MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

nrmonmx :mnn H0125. 1005.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 1.

WITNESSES: INVENTOR #M W MM 4/ ATTORN EYS THE NORRIS PETERS :04, WASHINGTON, o. c

PATENTED JULY 30, 1907.

B. S. DEAN.

SELF PLAYING MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLIUATION FILED NOV. 25, 1905.

ms ATTORNEYS No. 862,058. PATENTED JULY 30, 1907.

' B. s. DEAN.

SELF PLAYING MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLIUATION FILED NOV. 26. 1905.

4 SHEETSSHEBT 3.

INVENTOR BY MM \8 ATTORNEYS No. 862,058. PATENTED JULY 30, 1907.

B.S.DEAN.

SELF PLAYING MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

APPLIUATION run-1) nov. as. 1905.

4 SHEETS-SHEET 4.

wnNEssEs: .INVENTOR V h. nouns psrsns co., wAsHJr/cmu, n. c.

BENJAMIN S. DEAN, OF SAN FRANCISCO, GALIFORNlA.

SELF-PLAYIN G MUSICAL INSTRUMENT.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented July so, 1907.

Application filed November 25,1905. Serial No- 288,987.

I To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, BENJAMIN S. DEAN, a citizen of the United States of America, and a resident of San Francisco, county of San Francisco, State of California, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Self-Playing Musical Instruments and MusicalInstrument Players, of which the following is a specification, reference being had to the accompanying drawings, forming a part thereof.

My invention relates to improvements in self-playing musical instruments and musical instrument players, and particularly to means therein for governing individual tones produced so as to vary the tone values thereof.

My invention consists in governing means for the operating devices, comprising a plurality of controlling elements for the individual tones.

In the particular form of instrument herein, the means includes a group of two 01' more channels termi nating in openings in the tracker board, for each tone to be produced, and, specifically, the said group comprises three such openings with intermediate devices, whereby, if the first of the said openings of a group is uncovered, the tone selected thereby will have a value of say one unit; if the second of said openings only is uncovered, the same tone will be produced with a value of say two units; if the first two openings of the group are uncovered, the same tone will be produced with a value of say three units; if the third opening only of the group is uncovered, the same tone will be produced with a value of say four units, if the first and third openings of the same group are uncovered while the second opening remains covered, the same tone will be produced with a value of say five units; if the second and third openings of the same group are uncovered while the first remains covered, the same tone will be produced with a value of say six units; while, if all three openings of the group are uncovered at one time, the same tone will be produced, but with a tone value of say seven units.

By this invention, then, it will be seen that, first, the provision of a governor comprising a plurality of controlling elements for each individual tone will permit the tone to be produced with various tone values, and, second, that, if the several controlling elements themselves have each a different value, various resultant tone values may be produced through permutations thereof.

With the foregoing in mind it will be apparent that many specific mechanisms may be employed for carry ing out the invention, and that the principle involved may be equally applied to musical instruments as well as to musical instrument players. Further, the musical instruments may be of different varieties, as may be desired, such for instance as pianos, organs and the like.

In connection with the tracker board, I employ a record sheet of the general form usually employed in such instruments, except that the record sheet is specially perforated, that is to say, two or more perforations are provided for some of the tones and single per forations in varying relative positions are provided for others of the tones.

In order that my invention may be fully understood, I will now proceed to describe an embodiment thereof with reference to the accompanying drawings illustrating same, and will then point out the novel features in claims.

In the drawings: Figure 1 is a view in perspective, with certain parts broken away and other parts omitted, of operating means and governing devices constructed and combined in accordance with the foregoing. Fig. 2 is a view in side elevation of certain of the parts, including the operating means, and parts of the governing devices. Fig. 3 is a top view of certain parts of the governing means. Fig. 4 is a view thereof in vertical section, the plane of section being substantially upon the line 4-4 of Fig. 3. Fig. 5 is a view in horizontal section of the parts shown in Fig. 4 taken substantially upon the plane of the line 55 of Fig. 4. Fig. 6 is a view of a spring means employed in connection with the parts shown in Fig. 4. Fig. 7 is a detail view of a part of the tracker board. Fig. 8 is a face view of a part of a record sheet adapted to be employed, showing the same as partially wound upon a take up roller.

In order to avoid confusion, only such parts of a musical instrument as are necessary to the clear understanding of my invention are illustrated. A portion of the tracker board 10 is shown, the said tracker board having a plurality of openings 11 in its upper surface to register with corresponding openings in a record sheet, as is usual. The openings, however, instead of being arranged one for each tone to be produced, are arranged in groups of three, said groups forming the termini of channels 12, 13, 14. The channels 12, 13, 14 lead respectively to chambers inclosed in primary pneumatic devices 15, 16, 17. Each of the said pneumatic devices comprises a reciprocatory cylinder 18 fitted to a stationary plunger 19, said cylinder closed at its upper end by a head 20 and provided with a rod 21, which passes through the plunger down into a vacuum chamber 22. A spring 23 is interposed between the head 20 of the cylinder 18 and the plunger 19, being conveniently arranged in a counter bore in the said plunger, as shown. The spring tends to force the cylinder 18 upward, but the space between the cylinder head and the plunger, being open to the vacuum chamber through the opening 24 through which the rod 21 passes and which is made slightly larger than the rod 21, the cylinder head 20 is thus subjected to external atmospheric pressure, which forces the cylinder down against the pressure of said spring. One of the channels 12, 13 Or 14, as the sage or opening 24 at a point intermediate its length, as

will be readily understood by reference to Fig. 4 of the drawings. The other said channels 12, 13, 14, it will be understood, open into similar cross channels leading to the corresponding openings or passages 24 in the other primary pneumatic. devices of the group. If, now, air

under atmospheric pressure be admitted to the channel, I

such air will pass upward through the upper part of the passage 24 into the space between the cylinder head and the plunger, so as to break the vacuum at this point and permit the spring to operate to lift the cylindrical member 18. Directly the supply of air is cut off from the channel, vacuum will be reestablished from the vacuum chamber, and the cylinder 18 will be lowered again. The pneumatic devices just described, together with the channels leading to the tracker board, form controlling elements for governing the operating means for bringing into play the individual tones. The operating means comprises in part a secondary pneumatic device 26, constituting a cylinder 27, closed by a head 28 at its upper end and fitted to a plunger 29. The plunger 29 has a passage 30 therethrough, which leads to the valve chamber 31. The valve chamber 31 opens through a passage 32 into the vacuum chamber 22.

Channels or passages 33, 34 and 35 lead from the valve chamber 31, respectively, to the primary pneumatic devices 15, 16, 17, terminating in ports 36 controlled by the said devices. When the cylinders 18 are raised, the ports 36 are opened and atmospheric air thereby admitted into the valve chamber 31, and hence through the passage 30 to beneath the cylinder head 28 of the secondary pneumatic device, but when the cylinders 18 of the primary pneumatic devices are under pressure, as shown in Fig. 4 of the drawings, the ports 36 are covered and the channels 33, 34, 35, respectively, closed.

The valve chamber 31 is provided with a valve 37, said valve having a stem 38 which extends downward through the opening 32 into the vacuum chamber 22. The stem 38 is connected with each of the rods 21 of the several primary pneumatic devices through rockers 39. For convenience of construction I have shown a spring member 40 having three branches or arms, the main body of the spring member being secured to the stem 38 of the valve 37 and the branches or arms being I secured, respectively, to the several rods 21. When any one of the primary pneumatic devices 15, 16 or 17 is operated, movement will be transmitted through the rocker 39 connected thereto to the valve 37 to close same, whereby communication between the vacuum chamber 22 and the valve chamber 31 will be cut off.

This will close the secondary pneumatic device to the vacuum chamber at the moment the same is opened to atmosphere through one or more of the ports 36. I find it advantageous to employ a valve of this character with the secondary pneumatic device because the opening 32 is preferably of considerable size. In the primary pneumatic devices, the lower part of the passages or openings 24, which communicates from the cross channels 25 into the vacuum chamber 22, is of such small area as to render the employment of a corresponding valve therein unnecessary.

The cylinder head 28 of the secondary pneumatic device 26 connects through a stem or red 41 with one arm 42 of a bell crank lever. The bell crank lever is pivotally mounted upon an arbor 43 supported by a standard 44, and to the other arm 45 is secured a ten I sion spring 46. The tension spring is connected by means of a rod 47 to any point stationary in the instrument, a turnbuckle 48 being provided for properly adjusting the tension of the said spring 46. The spring 46 operates against the pneumatic suction of the said secondary pneumatic device 26. The bell crank lever 42, 45 is limited in its movement, under tension of the spring, by a suitable stop 49. The arm 45' of the bell crank lever, just described, is also connected by means of a link, wire, rod or cord 50 to one end of a friction band 51, which surrounds the periphery of a disk or roller 52. The other end of the band 51 is connected by means of a link, wire, rod or cord 53 with one arm of a bell crank lever 54, the other arm of which is connected by means of a link 55 with an operating lever 56. The operating lever 56 may be any desired means by which an individual tone may be produced, such as a lever for operating a piano action, or the lever of a piano player. The disk or roller 52 is arranged to rotate continuously in the direction of the arrow, Fig. 2, the friction band 51 being loosely supported thereby. Upon operation oi the secondary pneumatic device 26, whereby the spring 46 will pull the arm 45 of the bell crank lever over toward the stop 49, the friction band 51 will be tightened so as to cause the band to be carried round with the disk or roller 42 a distance surficient to rock the bell crank 54 and to depress the operating lever 56. Now the speed at which the band 51 will be carried round, and hence the force and rapidity of movement transmitted to the lever 56', will depend upon the rapidity of movement of the bell crank lever 42, 45. The rapidity of movement of this bell crank lever will depend upon the rapidity of operation of the secondary pneumatic device 26, which, in turn, will be caused to move more or less quickly in accordance with the operation of the primary pneumatic devices. The primary pneumatic device 17 controls a very small opening 35 (see Fig. 5), so that, in its operation, but a small quantity of air will be admitted to the secondary pneumatic device at a time. i The opening into the channel 34 controlled by the primary pneumatic device 16, may be, for instance, twice as large as the opening into the channel 35, while the opening into the channel 33, controlled by the primary pneumatic device 15 may have a capacity, for instance, twice as great as that of the primary pneumatic device 16. The values in units of these openings, then, may be expressed by 1, 2 and 4 for the primary pneumatic devices 17, 16 and 15, respectively. If all three of the pneumatic devices, then, are operated together, an amount of air in a given time, represented by seven units, will be admitted into the secondary pneumatic device, and any amount from one to seven units of air may be thus admitted into the secondary pneumatic device by the operation of the primary pneumatic devices taken individually or coupled in sets of two or three.

In actual construction, it is necessary to stagger the primary and secondary devices of the individual tones, and, in Fig. 3, I have shown them arranged in three banks, one behind the other. In Figs. 1, 4, '5 and 6, I

. for producing the tone with a different value.

have shown one bank or tier of these devices, while, in Fig. 3 I have shown the front bank or tier, together with one unit each of a portion of the second bank or tier. The general arrangement and construction will be well understood by musicalinstrument makers, as some such arrangement is quite common in disposing of the pneumatic devices ordinarily employed, in the limited space at command.

In Fig. 8 I have shown a record sheet adapted to be employed in combination with the instrument. In this view the vertical broken lines disposed across the sheet represent the lines of centers for each tone to be produced. Each tone to be produced, as above stated, has three openings in the tracker board, the center opening registering with the said broken lines, and the other openings being arranged upon opposite sides thereof. At one portion of the sheet, namely, that indicated by reference character 57, I have illustrated a succession of seven sets of openings, all arranged for the production oi the same tone, but each arranged They are arranged progressively to produce the tone with values of one to seven. This Will be well understood, in view oi the foregoing, by reference to the drawing. The various other openings in the sheet show openings for producing different tones with variously selected values.

It may be noted by those skilled in the art that the sheet illustrated would not be of suflicient Width to give the required number of tones, this being because a greater width in the sheet is taken up by individual tones owing to there being three openings for each tone, than in the usual sheets, in which there is but one opening ior each tone. I may here state that it is my intention to use two such sheets, if it is not convenient to make a sheet of sufficient width to take care of all of the tones, and in a co-pending application I have shown special means whereby two sheets may be employed at once and periect registry maintained. I wish it also to be understood that while I have explained iully herein a specific form of operating mechanism comprising the friction band and the pneumatic means connected therewith, the same iorms per se the subject matter of a co-pending application in which it is claimed broadly.

- In applying my invention I may provide controlling means such as described for each and every one of the tones to be mechanically produced, or I may, it desired, provide only certain of .the tones, such for instance as one or two octaves, with such controlling means, the remaining tones to be operated in the ordinary, or any desired, manner.

What I claim is:

1. In a device of the character described, the combination with a plurality of secondary pneumatic motors, one for each tone to be produced, a vacuum chamber common thereto, a single valve for each said motor arranged to open and close communication between said motor and the vacuum chamber, a group of primary pneumatics for each said secondary motor, each primary arranged in its op eration to open a passage from the atmosphere to the said secondary motor, means controlling the operation of said primary pneumatics, and actuators for bringing about the production of musical tones, operated by the said secondary motors.

2. In a device of the character described, the combination with a plurality of secondary pneumatic motors, one

for each tone to be produced, a vacuum chamber common thereto, a single valve for each said motor arranged to open and close communication between said motor and the vacuum chamber, a group of primary pneumatics for each said secondary motor, each primary of a group arranged in its operation to open a diiferent size passage from the atmosphere to the said secondary motor, means control ling the operation of said primary pneumatics, and actu ators for bringing about the production of musical tones, operated by the said secondary motors.

3.' In a device of the character described, the combina tion with a plurality of secondary pneumatic motors, one for each tone to be produced, a vacuum chamber common thereto, a single valve for each said motor arranged to open and close communication between said motor and the vacuum chamber, a group of primary pneumatics for each said secondary motor, each primary arranged in its operation to open a passage from the atmosphere to the said secondary motor, means for mechanically operating the said secondary motor valve from any one of the said primary pneumatics of a group therefor, means controlling the operation of said primary pneumatic. and actuators for bringing about the production of musical tones, op erated by the said secondary motors.

i. In a device of the character described, the combination with a plurality of secondary pneumatic motors, one for each tone to be produced, a vacuum chamber common thereto, a single valve for each said motor arranged to open and close communication between said motor and the vacuum chamber, a group of primarypneumatics tor each said secondary motor, each primary of a group ar ranged in its operation to open a ditferent size passage from the atmosphere to the said secondary motor, means for mechanically operating the said secondary motor valve from any one of the said primary pneumatics or a group therefor, means controlling the operation oi said primary pneumatics, and actuators for bringing about the production of musical tones, operated by the said secondary motors.

5. In a device of the character described, the combination with a plurality of secondary pneumatic motors, one for each of a number of tones to be produced, a vacuum chamber common thereto each said motor having a pas sage connecting same with said vacuum chamber, a valve for the passage of each said motor, a plurality of channels leading from each said motor to the atmosphere, :1 group of primary pneumatics for each said motor, comprising one for each said channel therefrom and arranged in their operation to cover and uncover said channels, means controlling the operation of said primary pneu matics, a continuously rotating roller, a friction band for each said secondary motor, surrounding said roller, and an operating element for each said secondary motor one end of said friction band being attached to said operating element and the other end to a secondary motor.

6. In a device of the character described, the combina tion with a plurality of secondary pneumatic motors, one for each of a number of tones to be produced, a vacuum chamber common thereto each said motor having a passa e connecting same with said vacuum chamber, a valve tor the passage of each said motor, a plurality of different size channels leading from each said motor to the atmosphere, a group of primary pneumatics [or each said motor, comprising one for each said channel therefrom and arranged in their operation to cover and uncover said channels, means controlling the operation of said primary pneumatics, a continuously rotating roller, a friction band for each said secondary motor, surrounding said roller, and an operating element for each said secondary motor, one end of said friction band being attached to said operating element and the other end to a secondary motor.

7. In a device of the character described, the combination with a plurality of secondary pneumatic motors, one for each of a number of tones to be produced, a vacuum chamber common thereto each said motor having a passage connecting same with said vacuum chamber, a valve for the passage of each said motor, a plurality of channels leading from each said motor to the atmosphere, a group of primary pneumatics [or each said motor, comprising one for each said channel therefrom and arranged in their operation to cover and uncover said channels, means for mechanically operating the said secondary motor valve from any one of the s. d primary pneumatics of a group therefor, means controlling the operation of aid primary pneumatics, a continuously rotating roller, a friction band for each said secondary motor, surrounding said roller, and an operating element for each said secondary motor one end of said friction band being attached to said operating element and the other end to a secondary motor,

8. In a device of the character described, the combination with a plurality of secondary pneumatic motors, one for each of a number of tones to be produced, a 'vacuum chamber common thereto each said motor having a passage connecting same with said vacuum chamber, a valve for the passage of each said motor, a plurality of different size channels leading from each said motor to the atmosphere, a group of primary pneumatics for each said motor, comprising one for each said channel therefrom and arranged in their operation to cover and uncover said channels, means for mechanically operating the said secondary motor valve from any one of the said primary pneumatics of a group therefor, means controlling the operation of said primary pneumatics, a continuously rotating roller, a friction band for each said secondary motor, surrounding said roller, and an operating element for each said secondary motor, one end of said friction band being attached to said operating element and the other end to a secondary motor.

9. In a device of the character described, the combination with an operating element employed for bringing about the production of a musical tone, of a pneumatic motor therefor, means for admitting air in different quantities at a time thereto, and a friction translating device between said operating element and the pneumatic motor, said friction device comprising means moving at a constant speed and means driven thereby at a speed proportioned to the speed of operation of the said pneumatic motor.

10. In a device of the character described, the combina tion with an operating element employed for bringing about the production of a musical tone, of a secondary pneumatic motor, a friction translating device between said operating element and the pneumatic motor, said friction device comprising means moving at a constant speed and means driven thereby at a speed proportioned to the speed of operation of the said pneumatic motor, a group of primary pneumatic devices for the said secondary pneumatic motor, arranged to admit air thereto in different quantities at a time, and means for controlling the operation of said primary pneumatic devicesv 11. In a device of the character described, the combination with an operating element employed for bringing about the production of a musical tone, of a pneumatic motor therefor, means for admitting air in different quantities at a time thereto, and a friction translating device between said operating element and the pneumatic motor, said friction device comprising a continuously rotating roller, and a belt surrounding same, connected at one end to the said operating element and to the other end to the said pneumatic motor.

12. In a device of the character described, the combina tion with a vacuum chamber, of a pnuematic motor comprising a stationary plunger and a reciprocatory cylinder mounted thereon, in 'normal communication with said vacuum chamber through said plunger, an operating element, a friction transinting device between the said operating element and the e, linder of said motor, said friction device comprising means moving at a constant speed and means driven thereby at a speed proportioned to the speed of-operation of the said pneumatic motor, and means for admitting air in different quantities at a time to the cyl inder of said pneumatic motor, and for simultaneously cutting off communication therewith from said vacuum chamber.

13. In a device of the character described, the combination with a vacuum chamber, of a secondary pneumatic motor comprising a stationary plunger and a reciprocatory cylinder mounted thereon, in normal communication with said vacuum chamber through said plunger, an operating element, a friction translating device between the said operating element and the cylinder of said motor, said friction device comprising means moving at a constant speed and means driven thereby at a speed proportioned to the speed of operation of the said pneumatic motor, and a group of primary pneumatic devices for the said secondary motor, each arranged to control a channel for admitting air thereto, and also to operate a valve for cutting off communication between said secondary motor and the vacuum chamber.

ll. In a device of the character described, the combination with a vacuum chamber, a secondary pneumatic motor, and an operating element musical tone producing mechanism connected thereto, of a group of primary pneumatic devices each comprising a stationary plunger, a reciprocatory cylinder mounted thereon, in communication with said vacuum chamber through said plunger, and a spring housed within the device between said cylinder and plunger, a channel for each said device leading to the said secondary motor. the cylinder of a primary pneumatic device arranged when operated to open a said channel to the atmosphere, and a tracker board having groups of openings corresponding to, and in communication with, the said primary pneumatic devices.

15. In a device of the character described, the combination with a vacuum chamber, a secondary pneumatic motor, and an operating element musical tone producing mechanism connected thereto, of a group of primary pnetr matic devices each comprising a stationary plunger, a reciprocatory cylinder mounted thereon, in communication with said vacuum chamber through said plunger, and a spring housed within the device between said cylinder and plunger, a different size channel for each said device leading to the said secondary motor, the cylinder of a primary pneumatic device arranged when operated to open a said channel to the atmosphere, and a tracker board having groups of openings corresponding to, and in COlllHlLlll lCil' tion with, the said primary pneumatic devices.

16. In a device of the character described, the con1bination with a vacuum chamber, a Secondary pneumatic motor, an operating element and a friction translating device between said operating element and the pneumatic motor, said friction device comprising means moving at a constant speed and means driven thereby at a speed proportioned to the speed of operation of the said pneumatic motor, of a group of primary pneumatic devices each comprising a stationary plunger, a reciprocatory cylinder mounted thereon, in communication with said vacuum chamber through said plunger, and a spring housed within the device between said cylinder and plunger, :1 channel for each said device leading to the said secondary motor, the cylinder of a primary pneumatic device arranged when operated to open a said channel to 'the atmosphere, and a tracker board having groups of openings corresponding to, and in communication with, the said primary pneumatic devices.

17. In a device of the character described, the combina tion with a vacuum chamber, a secondary pneumatic motor, an operating element and a friction translating device between -11d operating element and the pneumatic motor, said friction device comprising means moving at a constant speed and means driven thereby at a speed proportioned to the speed of operation of the said pneumatic motor, of a group of primary pneumatic devices each com prising a stationary plunger, a reciprocatory cylinder mounted thereon, in communication with said vacuum chamber through said plunger, and a spring housed within the device between said cylinder and plunger, a different size channel for each said device leading to the said secondary motor, the cylinder of a primary pneumatic device arranged when operated to open a said channel to the atmosphere, and a tracker hoard having groups of openings corresponding to. and in communication with, the said primary pneumatic devices.

18. In devices of the character described, the combination with a secondary pneumatic device, a valve therefor, a plurality of primary pneumatic devices, and means moved by operation of any one of the primary pneumatic devices for operating the valve of the said secondary pneumatic device.

19. In devices of the character described, the combination with a secondary pneumatic device, a valve therefor, a plurality of primary pneumatic devices, a plurality of rockers, each controlled at one end by the primary pneu matic devices, and all connected at the other end to the valve of the secondary pneumatic device.

20. In a device of the character described, the combination with a vacuum chamber, of primary and secondary pneumatic motors mounted thereabove, said primary mo tors comprising; each a stationary plunger, a reciprocatory cylinder mounted thereon, a spring housed in said motor between said plunger and the cylinder thereon, and a rod secured to said cylinder at one end, and at the other end penetrating said vacuum chamber, said cylinder arranged when operated to open and close a channel leading to the said secondary motor, a valve for opening communication between said secondary motor and said vacuum chamber, and a rocker in said vacuum chamber connected at one end to the rod of said primary pneumatic motor, and at the other end to the valve of said secondary pneumatic motor.

21 In a device of the character described, the combination with a vacuum chamber, of primary and secondary pneumatic motors mounted thereabove, said primary mo tors comprising each a stationary plunger, a reeiproeatory cylinder mounted thereon, a spring housed in said motor between said plunger and the cylinder thereon, and a rod secured to said cylinder at one end, and at the other end penetrating said vacuum chamber, said cylinder arranged when operated to open and close a channel leading to the said secondary motor, a valve for opening communication between said secondary motor and said vacuum chamber, a plurality of rockers mounted in said vacuum chamber and connected each at one end to the rods of a group of: said primary motors, and at their other ends all connected to the said valve of the secondary motor.

BENJAMIN S. DEAN Witnesses Ennnn'r WILLIAMSON, Guouen A. \LmNY. 

